5 Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

For many people, making the decision to place an elderly loved one in a professional nursing home or assisted living facility is extremely difficult and painful. You want to believe that your loved one will be treated with respect and dignity, and that they are receiving the highest standard of care possible. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse is a tragic, common reality, and one that can be difficult to detect. Many elderly people are unable to communicate about their abuse with their families due to medical issues, such as dementia, or simply because they are ashamed. Raising awareness to the signs of nursing home abuse is very important in order to protect your loved ones health and overall well-being.

According to the Administration on Aging, nursing home abuse can take many different forms, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse and neglect. Below are five signs of nursing home abuse to watch out for:

1. Unexplained injuries to the body, such as cuts, burns, bruises, welts, broken bones, sprains or other evidence of harm that could indicate physical abuse. 2. Sudden changes in behavior, such as listlessness or depression, emotional withdrawal, or infantile behavior, can be indicative of emotional abuse. Another red flag is if the caretaker refuses to allow you to spend time alone with your relative. 3. Unsanitary living conditions and/or poor hygiene, which could point to neglect. 4. Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases, particularly if your relative is in poor mental or physical health, are indicative of sexual abuse. 5. Sudden changes in financial habits can point to financial abuse, especially if these transactions include sizable withdrawals, property or title transfers, or the unexplained appearance of new debts.

Elderly people are among the most vulnerable targets for abuse, and determining whether or not that abuse is taking place can prove to be challenging. Watch for the above warning signs, and don’t hesitate to ask questions. Above all else, follow your instincts: If it seems like something is “off” with your loved one, even if he or she is unable or unwilling to clearly communicate, there is a good chance that abuse might be taking place.

If your elderly loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, contact the nursing home abuse lawyers at the law firm of Garcia & Artigliere. Call 1-800-281-8515 or go online at www.lawgarcia.com today for a free case review.

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